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OHIO CAMP-MEETING

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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 24, 1869

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 34, No. 9.

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OHIO CAMP-MEETING.

By James White

I FIND myself seated on the minister’s stand, in a beautiful grove, about one mile from the depot, in the flourishing village of Clyde, Ohio. Eld. J. N. Andrews is this moment addressing a very attentive audience before us. Around the stand, and the congregation, are nine large, neat-looking tents, which are the temporary residences of our brethren and sisters who have come from different parts of the State up to this place to worship.
Our people in Ohio are not numerous, hence the tents are comparatively few, and congregations not large. But as I look out upon this beautiful and well-prepared ground, these splendid tents, and the congregation, I take pleasure in saying that our people in Ohio, in their first camp-meeting, have made a noble strike.
August 11, in company with Brn. Andrews and Erzenberger, I left Greenville, Mich., for this camp-meeting. For the first time for nearly ten years, I was obliged to leave Mrs. W. at home on account of feebleness. And when I reached this ground, the 12th, and it was known that Sr. White was not to be at the meeting, many were very much disappointed. But these are rising above their disappointment, and are enjoying the meeting very much.
The word of God has free course, and those who speak from the stand enjoy much freedom. The social meetings in the tents, and at the stand, are becoming very free.
Sabbath, the 14th, has been a very solemn day. The plain word of God has searched the brethren and the people generally. There has been very pointed preaching, and the Spirit of God attends it with power. There has been a general movement forward for prayers to-day, and backsliders and sinners have come forward with much feeling. The weather is fine, and the power of truth and the Holy Spirit are making the place solemn, and yet delightful beyond description. The Lord is drawing very near to us. I have enjoyed the sweetest assurances in prayer that God is ready to bless all those who draw near to him with full purpose of heart. The brethren and sisters are getting into the work, and some of them seem much broken down before the Lord.
Sunday, the 15th, has also been a day of deep interest. Bro. Andrews spoke in the forenoon upon the second advent of Christ. His subject commanded excellent attention. I had become hoarse, yet tried to speak in the afternoon. And although it was with great difficulty that I spoke, I had good attention. We treated all kindly, and the crowd seemed to feel, with very few exceptions, under obligations to respect us.
In the evening, Bro. Andrews gave a most solemn and deeply-interesting discourse upon the Judgment. He was clear in argument, free in spirit, and his voice rang out upon the evening air with wonderful clearness and power. He had complete command of the crowd, which quietly and immediately dispersed, as the meeting was dismissed, leaving the brethren to enjoy quiet. We then bowed in prayer, and enjoyed a melting season. It was about nine in the evening. After shaking many a friendly hand, and hearing from them the hearty Good-bye, we left the place which had become so sacred to us. God be praised for the good camp-meeting in Ohio.
The subject of tract and book circulation was set before the brethren. Some money was paid in to the book fund, and some books were given. Many books were purchased. One thing was very evident: As the brethren drew nearer to the Lord, and felt the importance of setting the truth before the people, the more books they wanted to give to their friends, and the more they purchased, until they took nearly all of my large supply.
One of the most interesting parts of our meeting was the good, humble, impressive, melting talks of our beloved Bro. Erzenberger, from Switzerland. Although he has been in America but nine weeks, and when he came could not speak one sentence of English, he was able to speak to the people so as to be fully understood. Many wept. And the few friends in Ohio handed in $76 for the foreign mission. More about this matter hereafter.
JAMES WHITE.
Owosso Camp Ground, Aug. 19, 1869.